Ulsan education chief pledges to restore trust in school communities

District and county heads also inaugurated Wednesday

Leaders present visions for livelihood recovery, livable cities

Jo Yong-sik, the newly inaugurated Ulsan Metropolitan City Office of Education superintendent (center, front row), holds his inauguration ceremony at the education office's main auditorium Wednesday afternoon, with about 300 staff members in attendance. [Ulsan Metropolitan City Office of Education]

Jo Yong-sik, the 11th superintendent of the Ulsan Metropolitan City Office of Education, officially began his term Wednesday with a staff-centered inauguration ceremony.

Before the ceremony, Jo signed the administrative handover documents and approved as his first official act a plan to establish a comprehensive initiative and steering committee aimed at restoring trust within the education community, making the resolution of violations of teachers' rights and conflicts among school members his top priority.

In his inaugural address, Jo outlined six priorities: restoring trust in the education community; strengthening students' right to learn and protecting teachers' rights; supporting students' mental health recovery; reinforcing Ulsan-style public education; advancing future education centered on an AI education support center; and expanding education carried out in partnership with local communities.

"I will always put schools at the center and pursue an educational administration that puts students and teachers first," Jo said. "I will steadily build the foundation for future education in step with the changing educational environment."

From left: Kim Yeong-gil, Jung-gu district mayor; Lim Hyeon-cheol, Nam-gu district mayor; Cheon Gi-ok, Dong-gu district mayor; Lee Dong-gwon, Buk-gu district mayor; and Lee Sun-geol, Ulju-gun county head, each deliver their inauguration oaths and addresses at their respective ceremonies Wednesday. [Each district office and Ulju-gun]

The heads of Ulsan's five districts and one county also launched their official terms Wednesday with simultaneous inauguration ceremonies.

Kim Yeong-gil, who will lead Jung-gu for a second consecutive term into the ninth round of local elections, held his ceremony at Hamwol Hall of the Jung-gu Cultural Center Wednesday afternoon and presented his vision of completing "a Jung-gu that is a great ancestral home to live in."

"Building on the trust and achievements accumulated during the eighth term, I will secure more national and city funding to push forward projects for residents with greater momentum," Kim said.

Nam-gu District Mayor Lim Hyeon-cheol held his inauguration ceremony at the Nam-gu district office auditorium Wednesday afternoon, then visited Sinjeong Sangga Market to engage directly with residents on the ground, signaling his commitment to building "a Nam-gu that runs again and a livelihood economy that stands back up."

On his first day in office, Lim approved as his first act of the ninth term a plan to form and operate a "Livelihood Economy 119 Response Team" to support the stable growth of small business owners and the self-employed. He also held a meeting with about 20 business people affiliated with the Ulsan Nam-gu Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Council.

Dong-gu District Mayor Cheon Gi-ok held his inauguration ceremony at the Dong-gu district office auditorium Wednesday afternoon and declared his vision of "a new Dong-gu built together by all."

"I will make livelihood recovery and revitalization of the local economy my top priorities, and work to build an economically dynamic Dong-gu that runs again, alongside a Dong-gu strong in welfare, education, tourism and safety," Cheon said.

Buk-gu District Mayor Lee Dong-gwon held his inauguration ceremony at the Buk-gu Arts and Culture Center performance hall Wednesday afternoon and shared his vision of "a happy Buk-gu centered on residents."

Before the ceremony, Lee approved as his first official act a plan to establish a comprehensive transportation innovation initiative for Buk-gu. He announced that resident-centered transportation reform policy would be a core task of the ninth term, under the vision of "a transportation innovation city connecting Buk-gu's next 30 years."

Lee Sun-geol, who will lead Ulju-gun into a second consecutive term, held his inauguration ceremony at the county office's Alps Hall Wednesday afternoon and said he would accelerate his vision of "a happy Ulju that permeates everyday life."

"In the ninth term, I will focus the county's administrative capacity on sustainable growth and improving residents' quality of life, grounded in change and innovation," Lee said.

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